The SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) has advised R350 social relief of distress (SRD) grant recipients who chose the cash send option to switch to bank accounts or the Post Office.
In a statement on Tuesday (18 January), SASSA said this will speed up payments to such recipients.
Cash send option ‘not yet available’
“Applicants of the special COVID-19 SRD grant who chose the cash send option as a payment method are advised to switch to either their personal bank accounts or the Post Office to ensure speedy payment of their grants,” SASSA’s Executive Manager for grants Dianne Dunkerley said.
The Agency explained that the cash send payment option is not yet available because it is still “finalising contracting with the banks.”
“The previous contracts expired when the grant came to an end and we had to follow a procurement process to enter into contracts once again. This whole process has, unfortunately, delayed the contracting significantly,” Dunkerley added.
SASSA said it has sent SMS notifications to the affected grant recipients requesting them to change their payment method, but some have not yet done so. It urged them to upload or update their banking details because this is “by far” the quickest payment method.
“Those who do not change to personal bank accounts will be paid through the Post Office as a final resort,” added Dunkerley.
Changing from cash send to bank account
According to SASSA, the affected clients need to visit the SRD website here and click on “How do I change my banking details” tab to change their payment method from cash send to bank account.
The bank account details provided must be in the name of the applicant, because “SASSA cannot pay into the account of any person other than the approved applicant and the account must also be active,” the Agency explained.
R350 SRD grant reconsideration delays
In the same statement, SASSA also informed applicants that it is experiencing delays in processing R350 SRD grant reconsideration applications.
It further informed applicants that the grant is intended only for South Africans who have no financial support from any other source, adding that the grant is not a “top up” for support already received.
“When processing reconsideration requests from unsuccessful clients, we have to conduct a means test. This is where the banks come in because they have to confirm whether the applicant receives any financial support from any other source,” Dunkerley explained.
“The delay in attending to reconsiderations is as a result of delays in contracting banks to undertake means testing, amongst other services. We are doing everything humanly possible to resolve this delay. We appeal for patience and restraint from affected clients while the resolution of the process is accelerated.”